Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for ‘everything but gym gear'
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A DOCTOR has revealed why you should never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees.
Not only this, but the pro also shared the correct temperature for 'everything but workout gear.'
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A doctor has left people gobsmacked after revealing the correct temperature to wash 'everything but workout gear'
Credit: Instagram/bbcmorninglive
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Not only this, but Dr Xand van Tulleken also explained why you mustn't put clothes on at 90 degrees
Credit: Instagram/bbcmorninglive
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Dr Xand claimed to be "a 20 degrees guy"
Credit: Alamy
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He stressed that 20 degrees saves 62% of your money compared to 40 degrees
Credit: Alamy
So if you want to save cash and ensure your favourite tops don't get damaged, then you've come to the right place and will need to take notes.
Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand van Tulleken, who is best known for presenting the CBBC children's series Operation Ouch! and the Channel 4 show How to Lose Weight Well, got candid on how we should really be doing our laundry.
The expert explained that while 90 degrees will 'kill' bacteria, it could have a very negative impact on your clothes.
He stressed: 'The hottest your washing machine will go is 90 degrees usually and that will kill everything.
'It's almost boiling it. It's bad for the clothes, it's very expensive.
'Whatever's happened to those clothes, I think you've got to get new clothes at that point.'
He then voiced when to use the 60 degree function, as he added: '60 degrees, certain bugs will be killed and that can be quite good.
'So if you've got an infection going round your house, particularly think of something like norovirus, put it up at 60, along with the mechanical cleaning and the detergent, that's quite good.'
But Dr Xand admitted why he wouldn't ever wash his clothes at 40 degrees, as he confessed: 'Personally, I don't see the point in 40 degrees, because it's too hot to be cheap and it's too cold to kill anything.
'Commit to one or the other, either go hot or go cold.'
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As a result, he acknowledged: '30 degrees, that gets the job done. It is much cheaper.
'So going from 40 to 30 saves you almost 40% in energy costs, it's quicker. Make sure you get a lower temperature detergent.'
I'm a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes which go in hotter
Dr Xand
But Dr Xand then revealed the temperature he uses to wash the majority of his clothes - and you'll need to prepare to be shocked.
The TV personality said: 'I've gotta say, I'm a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes which go in hotter.
'20 degrees saves 62% of your money compared to 40 degrees, so that is a big deal.
'But at lower temperatures, you've got to think about cleaning your machine.'
And when it comes to cleaning your washing machine, Dr Xand suggested: 'The detergent tray where all the mould grows, that can be a real nuisance to clean. I put it in the dishwasher.
Laundry tips
Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips.
How often should you be remaking your bed?
When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better.
Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets!
You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty.
Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills!
What temperature do smol recommend then?
For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties.
What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent?
Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively.
Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process.
'And then mechanical cleaning of the drum - just a cloth, some vinegar, wiping is really good.
'If your machine has a cleaning cycle which runs at a high temperature, do that according to the manufacturer's instructions and then air it out.'
Social media users react
The BBC clip has since been shared on social media and has quickly gone viral, racking up four million views.
Nah mate, 40 degrees all the way
Instagram user
Stunned by the expert's advice, Instagram users eagerly raced to the comments to share which temperature they use to get dirty clothes clean.
One person said: 'I do 40 degrees because often clothes get ruined on 60 and don't get clean enough on 20 or 30. Plus the detergent needs to be able to dissolve and not clog up your pipes.'
Another added: 'Nah mate, 40 degrees all the way. Hot enough to kill bacteria and get rid of hard stains but cold enough so it doesn't ruin clothes.'
A third commented: 'I'm a 30° girly and always will be, detergent, stain remover, laundry sanitiser and conditioner and then a low heat tumble dry. Clothes are lovely and soft, stains are gone and totally fresh. Only do a 90° wash for bedding and white towels.'
Meanwhile, someone else claimed: 'If you have a house dust mite allergy only 60 degrees or above will do!'
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